Ripping DVDs to MP4 Files for your iPad

This little article is for those like me, who have an abundance of DVDs and would like to get them in a digital format to enjoy on your various tablets, mobile phones and etc. The title of the article indicates it's only for iPad, but in truth this stuff is pretty universal, and the file you get can be used on a variety of devices, that being said, here's what you're going to need.

DVDShrink - an oldie, but a goodie. Used to rip the contents of the DVD. A quick google search should turn up what you need, I'd recommend sticking with the second or third result, and not the dvdshrink.org site, as it seems to be mostly Spam now.

Handbrake- from http://handbrake.fr/ This is what we will use to turn the multiple files we get from the DVD rip, into one nice and neat .Mp4 video file.

First we start with DVDShrink:

Open disc, let it anylze, then click Re-Author, and on the right side of the program under the DVD Browser tab, you will see basically a list of all the video content of the disc, look for the one that says Main Movie.

Drag it over to the left side. Then click on the Backup button. Create a target folder to dump the files into, and then wait 10-20 minutes depending on the speed of your computer, and then you're done.

When it’s all finished simply click ok to close the program, now unto Handbrake!

Handbrake: 

Start by selecting the type of device you want the movie file to play on, HB does a great job of auto selecting the correct resolutions and whatnot. Then select the source folder, which will be the output folder we chose in Dvdshrink.

Next select the destination folder, and give the output file a name, then click ok, simply click Start and you’re good to go. (another 10-20 minute wait)

The resulting mp4 file can then be copied to your tablet or phone via windows explorer, or imported into iTunes and synced to your IOS device, and enjoy!

Samsung Galaxy SII ICS Update Leak

It's happened, the new Android Ice Cream Sandwich OS has been leaked and is available for those adventurous among us. here

Pretty quick and painless a process. I've done it, and I've gotta say, so far, nothing too mind blowing. Understandably, this is because of Samsung's TouchWiz UI is still on top of it, but still I'm a little unimpressed. Aside from a few minor changes to the UI, in the way of lockscreen, and other minor changes, it still looks more or less like the Old Droid/TouchWiz interface we've all had for a while. Although the new multitask management, with thumbnails of the running apps is nice.

Granted, I've only had it on for less than a day here, there may be more to love once I start using it proper. But in the interim, if you've been waiting for AT&T to bring it out, or just want to try a slightly newer OS on your phone, check it out, its easy!

My top 10 Apps

Part of the fun of owning an iPad or iPhone or even an Anroid phone or tablet aside from having some cool looking technology in your hands is discovering a new App. In that spirit; I want to share with you all, what the 10 apps that I use most often, or a just plain fun. Some of these I'm sure you will all recognize, but maybe there's one or two that are new to you.

Skype - The free video phone app, has been around for many years, and is well known enough that you can install it on your grandparents new laptop and they can probably use it. Free

Dropbox - Free service that make sharing files between computers, tablets and smartphones an easy experience. I'd mark this down as a must have App. Free

Goodreader - The best PDF reader available for your iPad. Gives you the ablity to annotate PDFs and save your markups. Also it's text searching is without a doubt invaluable. $4.99

Netflix - Need I say more? Netflix on your portable device, view all their streaming content quick and easliy. Free

Dolphin HD - Until recently this was the only way you could get the tabbed browsing on              your iPad. Still it's a pretty quick webrowser that also has gesture functionality. Free

Flipboard - Fantastic free App that takes webpages, twitter feeds, Facebook pages, and more, and presents it in a magazine like fashion, complete with pictures. It can take a boring looking tweets and make you look at them in a whole new fashion.

HBO Go - If you are an HBO subscriber, this app is a must have. Every single HBO series, every single episode. Free

Scramble with Friends - The newest in the 'with Friends' series, is a fun timed finding words game, where you go round by round against a friend, scrambling to find the most words in 2 minutes. Try it once, you'll be hooked. Free version is Ad Supported.

Words with Friends HD - The iPad version of the Alec Baldwin favorite. Makes use of the iPad's bigger screen space, and looks much better. $2.99 or Free version Ad Supported

Voxer - Walkie Talkie App that allows you to send instant messages, text, photo, or voice to one or a group of friends. Free